With more than three decades of experience, Luis Otero is one of the most recognized figures in Argentine journalism. He currently hosts “Mediodía Noticias” and is part of a generation of journalists who went through some of the most important transformations of the media in the country.
During an interview with NOTICIAS, he reflected on the evolution of journalism, the link between the press and power, the impact of new technologies, his most memorable investigations, his time in politics and his commitment to educational projects linked to Racing Club.
News: You were the one who inaugurated the first TN broadcast. What do you remember from that moment?
Luis Otero: I remember it perfectly because it coincided with a very important moment in my personal life. My son was born on May 18 of that year and that night I had just given him a bottle and put him to bed when the phone rang. They called me urgently to participate in the inauguration. I lived in Avellaneda and, via the highway, I could reach Constitución in just a few minutes. My first reaction was to think: “what a mess,” because I was with my family. But I immediately understood the importance of what was happening. It was a huge honor to be part of the birth of a signal that ended up marking a way of doing journalism in Argentina.
News: What has changed in journalism since then?
Otero: Today we have a huge number of platforms to communicate. At that time there were radios, television and little else. Social networks and current possibilities did not exist. Today nothing can be hidden. There are many more ways to show what is happening and that strengthens democracy.
News: What was gained and what was lost in that process?
Otero: Spaces were gained to communicate. Today anyone can generate content and show themselves. But there is also a risk: many times those who communicate are not professionals and information circulates that is not correctly verified.
News: Throughout his career he went through different governments and political contexts. What do you think the relationship between journalism and power should be like?
Otero: Journalism has to weigh on power, not the other way around. That is the function it fulfills within a republic. Governments can get upset with certain investigations or publications, but journalism cannot be held responsible for telling what happens.
News: Were there moments when you felt press freedom was threatened?
Otero: Yes. There were very difficult times. I particularly remember the debate around the Media Law and the possibility of Channel 13 intervening. There was a very strong feeling of pressure on the media. We thought that at any moment something could happen that would have been a very dark page for Argentine history.
News: Participated in journalistic investigations that had judicial consequences. Which ones do you remember especially?
Otero: There were several. The case of Judge Máspoli was very important because we discovered connections between a court, lawyers and maneuvers to settle cases. The investigation ended with the dismissal of the magistrate. I also especially remember the research on Julio César Grassi. It was very hard and painful work for me, even on a personal level, because I am a practicing Catholic and a Scoutmaster. There was a huge backlash against the work we had done and for years many people did not believe the allegations. However, Justice ended up corroborating the facts investigated. Grassi remains detained and must remain in prison for a while longer before regaining his freedom. In addition to these cases, there were other judicial officials removed based on journalistic investigations.
News: How important were hidden cameras in these investigations?
Otero: They were fundamental. They allowed situations to be recorded that otherwise would have been impossible to demonstrate. Over time, Justice recognized the value of these images as valid documents when their authenticity and integrity could be verified.
News: Is investigative journalism still valid?
Otero: Yes, absolutely. After Telenoche Investiga other programs arrived, such as those by Jorge Lanata. The investigations continue. What changed were the formats. Today, hidden cameras are used less, but that does not mean that investigations have disappeared.
News: Do you think that today journalists investigate less or that the media allow less investigation?
Otero: No. There are many editorial lines and many media outlets. That’s why I say anyone can investigate anyone. What exists are different views on the facts.
News: How do you analyze the impact of social networks and streaming?
Otero: They are extraordinary tools, but they also have risks. Many young people consume information on platforms that do not have professional, scientific or journalistic support. That is why it is so important to verify sources and know where the information comes from.
News: At one point in your career you decided to get involved in politics. How did that experience come about?
Otero: Politics appeared as a possibility to contribute from another place. It was a different stage in my professional life, with different challenges than those I had had as a journalist.
News: What led you to return to the media?
Otero: My return was related to a call to return to journalistic work. When that opportunity appeared I had no doubts. Journalism was always my natural place and I felt it was time to return.
News: What advice would you give to those who are training as journalists?
Otero: Let them look for professionals. Let them read professionals, listen to professionals and remain professionals. The responsibility to verify remains central. You don’t have to go out and say anything.
News: In addition to your journalistic work, you maintain a strong connection with education. Because?
Otero: Because I am a fan of education. In addition to being a scout master, I founded the Racing Club School and a trade school linked to my scout group that operates at the Tita Mattiussi Estate. Education has always been a fundamental part of my life.
News: What is your role in these projects today?
Otero: I am the legal representative of the Racing Club School, which already has an initial, primary and secondary level. In addition, I continue working to strengthen training linked to the media from the ISER and other educational projects.
News: What does Racing represent in your life?
Otero: Racing is closely linked to education, training and the sense of belonging. Many of the educational projects that we promote were born linked to the club and the community.
At the end of the interview, Otero insisted that the future of journalism will depend on the ability to adapt to new platforms without resigning the basic principles of the profession: verify, contextualize and communicate responsibly.
Serena Milagros Dorado
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